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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 12/11/2017 9:52 PM (GMT -5)
Hello I know this may sound crazy but I have really really bad anxiety and I can't seem to shake the thoughts that I might have leukemia it all started about a week or so ago when my armpit was sore and TO ME it felt like I had a swollen gland and of course I did the one thing your not suppose to.... I started googling and all these sites came up about leukemia and so I looked up symptoms of it and ever since it seems like I have a new symptoms each day related to leukemia and it has really taken a toll on me it seems to be all I think about, I can't quit googling, and because of this I'm having very very bad anxiety and I have assured myself that now I have it I have two beautiful babies and my anxiety is causing me not to be able to focus on them like I want to because this is in my head all day. Can someone please talk to me and reassure me that I am fine sad would I know if I had it? How can I stop thinking about it and get back to my normal life? This is driving me crazy!!
Posted 12/11/2017 10:04 PM (GMT -5)
You cannot diagnose yourself as having leukemia based on your armpit feeling sore. That is like having a headache and assuming that it is brain cancer. Sure, there is a one in a million chance it is brain cancer. But there is a 99.99999% chance it is just a headache.

If you are concerned about your health, go to a doctor and get a complete physical. That is a good idea anyway.

Then, once your doctor tells you that you do not have any physical illnesses, seek out therapy -- perhaps CBT, which works quite well with health anxiety -- so that you do not have to suffer any more.
Posted 12/11/2017 10:20 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks so much I know I sound crazy but its like I always assume the worst and when I try to stop thinking about it I'll be fine for a little while and then it pops right back into my head I hate having health anxiety!!
Posted 12/11/2017 10:28 PM (GMT -5)
Do you think it is likely that the symptoms I have are because of my anxiety and just in my head?? Because I only start getting the "symptoms" after I google them.
Posted 12/11/2017 10:42 PM (GMT -5)
And also I was googling earlier and it said that joint pains and aches are a symptom and now my shoulders and back is hurting!! sad
Posted 12/12/2017 4:07 AM (GMT -5)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment but you need to stop googling your symptoms as this will only make your anxiety 100 x worse.

I would suggest you go and speak to your GP and see what they say which will hopefully put your mind at ease.

Lots can be done to help with anxiety and we have some good links in our resources section so take a look.

Hibee
Posted 12/12/2017 9:51 AM (GMT -5)
And what's really freaking me out the most is on my shin it hurts like theres a bruise there but there isnt a bruise.
Posted 12/12/2017 11:04 AM (GMT -5)
It is very likely that your symptoms are caused by anxiety -- you look something up on google, and then you focus on it, and then you think you have some terrible illness. The mind is very powerful. It can make you think you have conditions that you don't really have.

I bet you would recognize this in someone else. If I told you that my wrist hurts a little, and that I googled "wrist pain" and now I think I have metastatic cancer in the bones in my wrist, that probably came from my brain and so I probably have brain cancer, you would tell me "that is very unlikely; probably you just hurt your wrist playing tennis yesterday."

But you do not have to suffer with this health anxiety. If you want it to stop, do two things. First, go get a physical so you will know that there is nothing physically wrong with you (or if there is, you can get it treated). Second, see a therapist -- I like CBT. Health anxiety is treatable. You don't have to live with this misery.
Posted 12/12/2017 1:36 PM (GMT -5)
Hello N.R. and welcome!

We are glad you've found us, though sorry to hear of your recent anxiety. :/ We understand how you feel...and know that many of us struggle with similar concerns and worries.

You've received great advice so far, so I will just add some links on self help for Health Anxiety from our Resources. You can also find book recommendations for HA in that sticky thread @ the top of the main forum page if you're interested.


Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx


Self Help For Health Anxiety

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53

www.getselfhelp.co.uk/healthanxiety.htm


Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner[/color]

www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf


Post with us anytime for understanding and support!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/12/2017 2:04 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you so much!!
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